Extended Nursers, come in...

[mrshandy]

DS 2 year appointment is tomorrow. Do I even need to mention that DS is still nursing at 2 years?

Is it relevant?

I'm guess I'm a little worried about them possibly judging me, but I'm not sure if they even care. I would like to wean in the next 6 months or so, so maybe they could give me advice.

Thoughts? Do you mention to your pedi that you are still nursing once you're past a year?

[rootbeerfloat]

It may have come up at 15m or so, but after that, I didn't bring it up, and they didn't ask. Unless you have concerns about your child's weight and/or diet, I don't think it's relevant.

FWIW, when I weaned DS a little after 2, I did it cold turkey.

[Deleted]

I doubt they have any advice for weaning an older child. I would mention it, but that's because I'll be proud if we make it that far! If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to talk about it.

I get my breastfeeding advice from LLL; the toddler meetings frequently talk about weaning.

[h]

We see two different pedis on a regular basis because they job share--one is a mom of young kids, the other is a semi-retired man in his 60s. The young mom nursed both her kids for 2+ years each, so I have hit her up for weaning tips and otherwise discussed the fact both my kids were still nursing at 2 years old with her. I don't think I have brought up extended nursing with the other doctor, but it may have come up at some point. I think he stopped asking me if my kids were still nursing after either their 1 year or 18 month appointments.

I personally don't think it needs to be mentioned unless it is a source of concern for you, there is some question as to whether your child is getting enough nutrition, you are worried he isn't eating enough solids, etc. Afterall, presumably you do not list off for your doctor everything your 2 year old consumes on a daily basis. If you doctor asks you how much milk your child is drinking, though, I would say "he has about X ounces of WCM a day, and he also still nurses before bed" or whatever. I would not lie, and I would not let your doctor make you feel judged for nursing your kid.

[Willis Jackson]

I nursed DS until he was almost 2. I think I mentioned it to the pedi when she asked about his diet. She didn't judge.

[mrshandy]

Thanks for the advice. I am a little concerned about DS diet. It's a cold day in hell when I can get him to eat a vegetable, but he eats lots of fruit so that's good.

I'll just play it by ear and mention it if it comes up.

[hrp22]

I would think I'd need to find a new doctor if they judged me for breastfeedng my child to age 2.

[zeewifeandmama]

I only mentioned it in relation to the fact that she wasnt drinking much wcm...she was fine with it.

[mrshandy]

Jul 17, 2012 23:25:50 GMT -5 @domerjen said:

FWIW, weaning gradually will be best for both of you. Just cut a feeding every few days minimum so you don't end up w/ plugged ducts/mastitis. Save the favorite ones for last, and then use tactics like distraction, counting down, etc... if you want to lead the way. Or some moms find "don't offer, don't refuse" to be a good way to handle it. Most kids drop the morning or bedtime feed last.

I stopped offering many months ago. I only nurse when he wants to. I think he would flip a lid if I ever refused.

I guess I'll have to start experimenting. We'll see how it goes. I'll have to break out my nursing book that I haven't look at since DS was born!